Life is interesting! I never know what adventure I will be on next. I used to be a homesteader in Vermont. I had an organic vegetable farm and lived in an underground house. Then I was living in my ancient RV full time and roaming the US. For the first six months of 2008, I moved into an apartment in Lakeland, Florida. Then I was on the road seeing the USA by van. Starting October 2008 I moved into an apartment in the Adirondacks of NY. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
January 26th, 2011, I got married to Rhett Wyatt. We are planning on getting an RV and traveling full-time….maybe next year 
Write to me at wendysuewyatt@gmail.com
Wendy & Rhett Wyatt
45 Main St Apt 605
Bloomingdale, NY 12913
Hi Wendy,
My nickname is windy ( with an I). given to me by my dad( now deceased), when I was a kid because I talked too much. Still do I guess.
I found this website saved in my favorites. I rarely go into my favorites any more. I had previously enjoyed reading about your daughter Heather and also your travels, and must have saved the website.
I live in Lakeland Florida. I’m originally from Indiana but moved to St. Petersburg Florida in 1971 when I was 13, a year after my father died. We lived on a small farm in a little town called Garrett.
We moved to Lakeland in 1988. It was much more rural and land and home prices way cheaper then they are now.
I hate the way it’s become over developed here. A lot of the woods,farms and orange groves are gone .And the way home and land prices were driven up. Even though home prices have come down, We kind of missed out on a chance to buy some land while it was still cheap to buy. About all you can find now is over priced swamp land.
I’m sorry to hear about your health problems and hope you find some relief. Prayers always help.
I have a problem with my right foot that started to deform about four years ago. I found out that my grandma on my dads side had CMT( Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome.)
My dad didn’t have it although his sister and brother did. he might have been a carrier and passed some milder form of it onto me.
I haven’t had any testing done to confirm that I have the gene, but I don’t know what else could be causing my foot and toes to deform.
My grandmas foot was severely twisted. I never knew the reason why, until now.
I was told surgery could help correct it. IF I can come up with about $ 10.000 to $ 12.000. Plus the left foot is rapidly following the same pattern with huge bunion and toes going all crooked and over lapping.
I really miss the older days when I could paint my toes and wear sandals and looked pretty good. I love sandals and to be barefoot.
Anyway, it was a joy to read about you and your daughters travels, adventures, homesteading, thoughts and your fortitude.
Take care and God bless.
Cheryl( windy) Hong
Hi Wendy
I’m trying to connect with people living on wheels to help spur me on to this type of life style. Right now I have 2 houses that I gotta get rid of. Taxes are killing me too and at 51 I gotta protect what retirement money I saved up. Selling those will be my two biggest hurdles, dealing with this present economy.
I have a regular size 1991 Dodge cargo van, a bit rusty. It could be my home on wheels if I could unload all my !@#$%^ first.
I’m in cold Michigan, and sunny Floriday sounds good right now. I’d want to migrate south whenever the cold hits. Do you by chance team with or park next to another van dweller for security purposes?
I try to do sourdough bread but I need a chef to help me I got the starter from eBay. We have friends in Lakeland.
B N
My first bout of paring down was by my choice, the second wasn’t. I was mostly happy the last couple of years to be free of “stuff”. It would have been nice to have more money, though
I’ve only met up with another van dweller once and camped next to him on purpose. Most of the time I prefer being alone. When I’m hanging out with someone, I don’t get to know the neighbors so well. I love meeting and greeting new folks on a regular basis. I also like determining my own schedule.
The best security is a dog. Zeke barks if people get close when I’m sleeping. He is also the best way to meet people
He is very cute and happy and affectionate. EVERYBODY wants to pet him and ask about him.
Sourdough is easy. I no longer measure when making pancakes. Since I use a bread machine, I just throw in the ingredients and let the machine do the work. Feeding the starter has become second nature. I never throw any out….I just keep making more sourdough foods
I did not move to Lakeland on purpose. It just sort of happened. The longer I am here, the more I appreciate the people, weather and proximity to all sorts of stuff.
Hi Wendy, I hope you wouldn’t mind answering a question for me. A lady I know in church wants to try to get a service dog. Could you possibly let me know how to tell her to start the process and where to go
and who to talk to? She really needs one bad.
Thanks,
Debi
What kind of service dog? Guide dogs for the blind are the easiest. Whatever you are looking for, Google is your best friend. Google service dogs, helper dogs, etc. If she has a particular disease, there are folks who train a dog that way, too. I know there are dogs trained specifically for people with myasthenia gravis.
Zeke was a “reject” search and rescue dog. They said he was the best at finding dead bodies, but then would chase rabbits and squirrels, so they retired him after a couple of years training. I happened to sort of know the trainer who lived in Michigan and we met each other half way and she gave me Zeke.
He came trained, but over the last 7 years, Zeke has learned more on his own than he ever learned in class. He is perfectly attuned to how I feel each day, and he understands the nuances of my gait problems. An Aussie is a perfect dog for me
A friend of mine wants a seizure dog. There are dogs that assist before and after a seizure and seizure alert dogs that know just before one happens. The ones who can sense a seizure can’t be trained to do it. They get that way by knowing the person real well.
She needs a dog to help her with physical things like picking up something if she drops it or opening doors and things like that. She is severely disabled from a car accident. She can not bend her arms or legs. The slightest things for me are very hard for her, but she still lives alone and wants to keep her indenpendence. Her and I are visiting teachers together and this past week we all met at Wendy’s and she said she wanted to look into getting a service dog. I immediately thought of you. I googled underground houses a few months ago and ran across your blog. I’ve been reading it since. I’ve never met anyone with a service dog and I thank you for letting me know how to get started so I can possibly help Maxine find her a dog. She also deserves a special friend and companion like Zeke.
It should be very easy for your friend to get a service dog. There are Yahoo groups about service dogs, too. I read them a lot when I first got Zeke, but don’t belong to any now.
Delta is one of the best web pages…
http://www.deltasociety.org/
Hi Wendy!
I just found your lovely blog. I’m reading and reading and can’t stop. I should be eating dinner now…
Anyway, I wondered if you saw a neurologist that specializes in MG? I do and it’s done me very well. I’m sure you’re smarter than me about this crazy disease but I hope I can offer some advice. I hope you don’t mind but I’ve had MG now for over 5 years.
Many Blessings!
Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota has one of the best MG Neuro teams in the country. Contrary to Popular belief, Mayo is very reasonably priced. If any way possible I would recommend them. Sorry you’re having trouble, but MG is a nightmare come true. God bless on your search
I have already seen some of the best MG docs in the country. My diagnosis was NOT in question and isn’t now. I just needed a NY doc instead of a VT doc for insurance purposes. The doc I saw last month was some sort of egotistical nut case aberration. All my docs disagree with her and have had choice words for her
Yup, I see a good doc…the neuro I have been seeing for the last couple of years is in St Petersburg and was voted best MG doc of the year. He is a fantastic doc. The problem is my insurance. It doesn’t pay for the IVIg and that is my doc’s favorite weapon against MG. Back when I was getting infusions every three weeks, I felt light years better
If you want to write to me I’m wsm311@aol.com
You probably see the same doc as me! The MDA won’t pay for your treatment? I’ll email you.
Hi Wendy,
Just curious what you are using MMS for? My son has crohns disease and we have been using it. He started at 1 drop up to 5 drops. By the time he hit 5 drops he thru up and had big diarea. Now, he is afraid to take it. I wish he would still take it as I know it helped him some. We use it topically for a fistula he has though, which has improved a lot.
Well, hope to hear from you, and I hope your health improves soon.
sb
Hi Wendy…
Well…how lucky I was to stumble into your website today. I have had MG for several years now and honestly could have written the exact same blog. It’s nice to finally find someone who experience the same sort of daily lifestyle with its frustrations, questions, ponderings…etc. My writing has honestly saved my life. Please feel free to check out my blogsite. I have actually turned them into articles and they are published in the local newspaper. That makes me feel productive, along with my coaching skills in helping other sick folk like ourselves.
I help many people ….but for some reason have not come across many who have this crazy disease. Your comments about the mestinon were very helpful to me. I too have to get the generic brand,and don’t think it works as well as the TimeSpan. I just saw MG specialist at UC last week….hoping to get on some new treatments that will help me.
I could share what my daily life is like…but why bother…you’ve got it nailed!!!!!!
I love your blogsite…..and its nice to come across someone who also uses humor to deal with their illness.
Thanks Wendy…..email anytime.
Cindy
ps…..you used to live in Vermont??? The one place I have not been to yet and dying to go.
Ummmm…sorry to hear you are ANYTHING like me! ;-p
But, it’s good to know you are not all alone, isn’t it? My life changed when I got into lupus and myasthenia support groups. Just knowing that I am not THAT weird comforts me. I’m sorry the other folks go through what I do, but there is huge comfort in not being the only one. Before diagnosis, most people are labeled just plain crazy and lazy.
I quickly looked at your blog. It would put you out of business, but all those feelings, questions and the answers to them are explained plainly in the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. The peace and joy of KNOWING I am a beloved daughter of God and that my life has much purpose is extremely comforting. Ever notice that the majority of Mormons are happy? It’s because we understand God’s plan of salvation and why we are on earth.
Yup, Vermont was nice, but it’s an expensive place to live. The Adirondacks are much the same, but the culture is very different.
Write to me any time. I am BAD at writing back, but it’s nothing personal….
Stubled upon your blog. Good for you. Very upbeat and interesting. I am also a convert, as is my wife. Keep up the good work. Go to the temple. All will be well.
Craig
I got my Temple clothes in the mail today!!!!!!! When I lived in the Orlando Temple district, I rented clothes. Can’t do that in Montreal or Palmyra. Thank you Johnsons for my Temple clothes!
Now I can go again….
Hi Wendy
I wrote you an email, and your ISP said my email is invalid.I tried to help you once before. So you tore into me.If you want help, email me.Or perhaps you blocked me. If so, so be it.I only help those who truly want help.
BARB
earthfeather99@yahoo.com
uhhhh….I sure do not remember you….
I am sixty years old and have a myriad of problems for which I have been to practically every Doc in the country without a real diagnosis. I can understand the frustrations of those who need and can’t get help. I have spent time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Inn, where they verified each individual problem, but could not determine any root cause for the combination. I hate talking about my illness, but will give you a brief synopsis.
My Neurological problems started when I was only 26 years old. I had an abnormal EEG which indicated a seizure disorder due to severe left temporal slowing. I had always realized that I had blank spots but never associated them with seizures. Everything remained reasonably under control until I turned forty. Orthopaedic problems started with back and knees deteriorating. I had two knee replacements, and three neck Surgeries for degenerative disc disease. I had Titanium rods, screws and bolts placed in my neck which provided a little relief temporarily. The disease continues to move through my spine. Shortly after that I developed Vascular disease, had an Aortic Bi-femoral Bypass done to stabilize things. Problems erupted when I contacted MRSA at the hospital, in my right leg and after six months of attempting to get it under control, I lost my right leg above the knee. Attempts at using a prosthesis were unsuccessful, as I developed pressure problems, and the left knee cap fractured from the additional weight. (I am not overweight). I became wheelchair bound at this time. Two years later my seizures worsened, I had one eye that was almost totally closed, could not swallow, and if I did manage to get food down, I either threw up or aspirated. The aspiration caused pneumonia which resulted in heart attack, and I was coded. Thanks to the grace of God, a marvelous medical team, and a seven day coma I pulled through it. The swallowing became more and more difficult until I could no longer get anything down including medicines. I lost fifty five pounds bringing me down to 135 pounds. During all this, Myasthenia Gravis was tagged as the main problem, along with nutcracker Esophagus. (These two things are not supposed to happen together). I was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota where I stayed for six weeks. They came up with nothing to tie everything together. They said they “thought” I had MG, but the test results were not conclusive. Swallowing test and brain scans indicated problems going on in the brain, but they were not sure why. They did an additional CT scan at Mayo, and determined I had developed White Matter disease which was severe, progressing quickly, and was far advanced for my age, but no reason why. This all resulted in numerous additional Neurological problems.
To wrap it all up, I now have a feeding tube in place and live on a diet of ensure, and pudding. (I have developed a dis-like for both). The combined illnesses are terminal, and the only thing that can be done is to treat the illnesses, and the pain. I try to live my life to the fullest, and to keep a positive attitude. So far I have managed to maintain my sanity, (or at least I think I have), LOL.
Don’t know if any of this helps, but would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, or at least attempt to.
God Bless you and yours.
J. David Church
crawdiddly@aol.com
Dang!!! There were many times in my life that my body has been full of symptoms, needed surgeries, hurt like heck and was misbehaving. I used to get very, very discouraged with doctors. I felt that somehow I was not doing a good enough job describing how my body was deteriorating. I have been blessed with exacerbations and remissions. I am soooooooo thankful that all of the sudden, I get rid of medical issues. I LOVE miracles!
My husband, Rhett, says I am more like Job than anyone he has ever met. Sounds like you are way ahead of me in the affliction and patience department!!!
At some point in my younger years I realized I was probably always going to be “a wreck”. I only get one life, so I had better do whatever I can to enjoy the life I have. I admire your pluck to do the same thing with awful health issues. Lucky for the rest of civilization, people like us are not the norm…and most people can get better care.
Put your faith in God and know that if you are faithful and endure to the end in righteousness, that when you are resurrected, you will get a glorious, perfected body! I am looking forward to that someday
It took me this long to find that the blog adventures i was reading about Heather and your adventures were related.I was a Key Wester for 27 yrs and now in the north till I head out when my youngest finishes HS_ though he may not. I was so encouraged to read Heathers Vermont college and putting her experiences into a portfolio. Vermont women are the hardiest of the bunch. A group of women i ran with during the 70′s were Vermonters. The DeFelice women. I keep the Vermont attitudes in my heart in preparation to down size and roam again. Once living outdoors or without a conventional “home” gets in your blood, it is hard to stay on the grid the older i get. If my son does not graduate, he will be in the mini van behind me_or so i have told him. His tourettes may keep him from driving. I work on my big G20 now in prep. God Bless you both. Isn’t it great to be a grandma! Youth comes alive again
)
There is a guy with Tourettes in my church. He seems to do pretty well despite it. I keep noticing that his outbursts are very much like my neurological pains….he speaks, I look like I have been electrocuted! I’m looking forward to going SOMEWHERE this winter.
I had no idea that you have your own website! I came across it by accident and I’m glad I did because it’s extremely interesting and informative……….Way to go and keep it up, Wendy!!